Judge Délio Portugal says he acted impartially in the “hidden debts case”

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Judge Délio Portugal says he acted impartially in the “hidden debts case”

2:43 CAT | 30 Apr 2019

Photo: O País

Days after he was transferred to Matola from the criminal investigation section of the court in Maputo, where he worked on two cases, namely the hidden debts case and the misappropriation at the INSS, Judge Délio Portugal yesterday told the press that it was difficult to conduct high-profile court cases with high media exposure.

“This is not the time to look back. It was a job just like any other. Intervening in cases is always difficult for a judge because it requires exemption and impartiality,” Portugal says.

Portugal ordered the arrest of defendants in the hidden debts case and of the former Minister of Labour, Helena Taipo, but neither confirms nor denies that he has been threatened, although he admits there has been some pressure.

“The pressure results from the fact that the judge tries to do his job properly and impartially. This is the pressure a judge always faces,” he adds.

Portugal began his career as a district magistrate in Milange in Zambezia, then worked in three courts and spent two years in the criminal court in the country’s capital. He will now preside over the Maputo provincial labour court.

By Amândio Borges

Source: O País